ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – While the City of Escanaba has made progress in its search for a new manager, the City Council is still working through the difficult process.
The previous City manager stepped down in May, after announcing his decision in December. After a few rounds of candidate interviews, the City Council decided to hire a consultant to compile a list of qualified candidates.
Following interviews with those candidates, the City initiated negotiations for a one-year contract with the Council’s top choice. However, that candidate has since withdrawn his application. Council member Ronald Beauchamp believes the hiring consultant “muddied” the process by being “too closely involved” in communications with the candidate. At a special meeting on Thursday, Beauchamp made a motion to part ways with the consultant, but the motion failed.
Although the City will be moving forward with the consultant’s services, there will be changes. The Council voted in favor of instructing the consultant to refrain from participating in contract negotiations with other candidates.
The City’s top remaining candidate for the position is Danielle Tiedeman, Village Manager of downstate Dimondale. Amid the contract negotiations, City Controller Melissa Becotte continues to serve as Interim Manager.
WZMQ 19 will continue to follow Escanaba’s City manager search as it unfolds.
